As I sit and type this report, we are officially in a stretch of Indian Summer. Temperatures along the coast from one end to the other have touched the 70-degree mark for several days now, and could do so for the next few more. The water temps are optimal at just under 60 degrees. With a little luck, this season could be extended to December if conditions hold up. Lord knows it would be welcomed, especially by all those who lost fishing time to that nasty Irene.
If your time is at a premium and you need to make a decision as to the one area with the best probability of bringing home some table fare, my advice would be to look to the northern reaches of the state. I say this knowing that the bite has been red hot north, lukewarm towards the middle and heating up in the south. Sand or sea, my number one pick would be the area around Island Beach State Park. I confirmed that with the gang at
Grumpy’s in Seaside Park. Since Sunday, they have been non stop there, weighing fish, selling tackle and bait. The big lunkers have virtually taken up residence in the area feasting on the smorgasbord of bait hanging around the coast. Sand eels, and bunker are all over the place and the blues up to 15 pounds and stripers up to 40 pounds are common place for those buying a ticket to the show. Metal seems to be the best bet for hooking up, especially skinny metals like Deadly Dick’s and Ava’s. For those of you on the boats, don’t be afraid to troll them up if the wind changes and the jig bite shuts down. I suggest shads fished in either an in-line or umbrella configuration. Don’t forget to pack some snag hooks in you tackle box. Bunker are in the area and snag and drag is always an option when they are around.
Dave Showell of the Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center has been having a banner year for his bait and tackle shop as well as his charter boat customers. The gospel according to Dave is that while the beaches and front waters from Absecon to Corson’s have been a slow pick, the inlets and back bay waters have been pretty consistent. Anglers dragging eels and spot have by far been the most successful with the best bites coming at first light and on the incoming tides in the inlets. Off the beaches, clam soakers have probably had the best chance for a keeper with cut bunker running a close second. Its been somewhat of a tough pick for the pluggers off the beaches, which I can personally confirm. The bait run that usually acts as a prelude to success with artificial baits has been somewhat stalled in the northern section of the state. Hopefully this warm weather will loosen the migration up a little and light up the beaches and inshore fishing. Keep you fingers crossed, with gas prices rising again, it can get expensive chasing fish in the far north or south. I suspect that the fun has yet to really start.
For some, Long Beach Island is considered a northern fishing area, others like to think it belongs in the southern domain. For me, it’s always been angler’s nirvana because it always seems the hold fish, regardless of the season. This year has been no different according to the staff at Fisherman’s Headquarters in LBI. You name it, they have led the way! The striper run was on there while other venues were silent and has heated up when you thought it should cool down. This week, it has been non stop action from the tip of the island all the way north through Barnegat inlet. Bait of choice, if that’s your preference, has been cut fresh bunker with a close second to clam. Sand eels and small weakfish seem to be the striper’s favorite menu items, based on a recent survey of those cleaning their catch. If you are using artificials, then metal is the winner. Hopkins or Deadly Dick would be my recommendation. Keep some top water plugs within arms reach as well, as the bait fish have been higher up in the water column and nothing is as fun as a big bass on a top water lure.
Generally the last place to “turn on” in the state is almost always around Cape May during the fall run. And as they are usually the first place to shop for spring fish, that’s just fair. Such is the case this year, according to Taylor at Of the Hook Marina in Cape May. Anglers fishing the 60 foot slew in Delaware Bay as well as the other regular spots have been having success chunking cut bunker. Fish up to 40 pounds have been weighed in recently. The beaches from the Wildwoods south have been a little slow with the most success coming from those with the patience to soak clams and cut bunker. I also asked Taylor about the offshore bite and while he has heard some rumors that the tuna bite is still active, the weather hasn’t really been cooperative enough for the boats to make the trip. Big swells offshore for the next 4 days or so might hinder any exploratory trips. The head boats in Cape May have been doing so with the black sea bass bite in the last week and looking forward should do well with the tautog bite when the limits bump up next week. If you are looking to stretch your season out, head south.
In this writer’s opinion, there is still plenty of action left in this the Fall Run of 2011. Water temperatures have only recently dropped into the optimal range, and it was a slow start even in the prime fishing grounds off Montauk. The last ten days have been fantastic in some areas and moderate to slow in others. The rips off Cape May Point have had some spectacular runs, but the fish have been somewhat finicky, turning on and off like a beautiful but cranky woman. The northern waters have been on fire. Metal rules the sea up there with schools of sand eels as big as an ocean yacht. The gannets are diving, but north only. South of Mystic Islands, the skies are barren. It is as if they are resting up, knowing the best is yet to come in the southern half of the state. Air temperatures are hovering around 70 which makes for some fine fall fishing conditions. So get out there and wet some lines. In life, there are no guarantees. The fish are there now or they are heading your way in the near future. One thing for certain is that they rarely jump through your window and into the frying pan. And while you are at it, stop in and visit your local bait and tackle shop owner. Believe it or not, most love fishing themselves and this time of year, they finally have some time to talk to you. And most have no qualms about pointing you towards the best seasonal action. I can honestly say, I don’t know one of that profession who does not care about our sport with an intensity that’s hard to describe. As a final note, don’t forget the tautog limit goes up to six next week, so if you get the chance and are looking for some diversity in your fridge, get some greenies and hit the deep holes. So get ready, get set, Go fish!